Apparatus for automatically peeling and washing fruits and vegetables



May 2l, 1929. B. MEISLER 1,714,313

APPARATUS Fon AuTouATIcALLY FEELING' AND WASHING FRUITS AND VEGEIABLES Filed July 5, 1924 4 sheets-smet 1V BV Z A TTORNEYS May 21, 1929.

. MEISLER `APPARATUS FONAUTONATICALLY FEELING AND WASHING'FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1924 May 21, 1929. B. MElsLr-:R 1,714,313 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY FEELING AND WASHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed July 5, 1924 4 SheetS-Sheel (5 www Erf/:Qian @uw A TTORNEY B. MEISLER May 21, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIGALLY FEELING AND WASHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed July 5, i924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 2l, 1929.

UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE. f

BENJAMIN Marsans., or NEW Yonx; N.' Y.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICA'LLY FEELING AND WASmG FRUITS .AI-NIDv VEGETAIBLES. l

Application mea my 5, 1924. serial No. 724,524.

My invention relates to improvements in the method and apparatus for automaticallyI peeling and washing fruits and vegetables.

The objects of my invention are:

` :i- 1. To produce an apparatus that perfectly 4. To provide a specially designed revolv ing non-metallic skm removin tool, so arranged as not only perfectly ut also economically eel ofi' the surface skin of fruits and vegeta les.

5. To rovide means to facilitate the r'emovalv o the surface skin, and also thoroughly and sanitarily wash the fruit or vegetables.

The invention consists of. the novel combination, constructions, and arrangement of various elements and parts, as fully dei scribed in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fi 1 is a sectional side elevation along line A (Fig. 2) of a fruit and vegetable skin peeling apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view with cover removed.

` Fig. 3 Iis a sectional view along line'B-B` (Fig. 2).

(FFlg. 4 is a sectional view along line C-C' ig. 2

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are enlarged views showing the various operating positions of parts of the automatic feeding mechanism.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section showing the skin peeling tool-operating mechanism.

. Fig. 10 is a sectional view along. line D-D of Fig. 9.

Fi 11 is a sectional view along line E- (Fig. 2).

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

'chine.

lever 16,provided lwith an operating nose 1. Description of machine.

The machine ma be grouped into its func- 5o tional parts as fol ows:

. The driving mechanism.

. The charging mechanism.

. The feeding mechanism. The peeling mechanism.

. The discharging mechanism. The washing attachment.

The dving mechanism.

4This mechanism is uclearly illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 and consists of a motor 2, a reduction gear arrangement 3, driven by motor 2, a belt or chain transmission 4, transmitting power-to a shaft 5 running in 5 suitable bearings 6. Bevel gear drives 7 and 8 for operating the feeding and dischar e mechanism respectively, are provided, whi e the Skinning mechanism is operated by a combined chain and gear drive 9 and 10 for 7g which another bearing 11 is mounted upon the common base plate 1.

2. The charging mechanism. i

An inclined and preferably 'vibrating 75 chute 12, Fig. 1 serves the purpose of automatically moving the fruit or vegetable 13, into the stationary charging pocket 14, permanentl attached to cover 15, of the marelease attachment, consisting of a 30 16', and a locking lever 17, plvoted upon a supporting bracket 18, is so arranged as to normally close the lower opening 19, of charging pocket 14. A s rin 20, attached '85 to operating nose 16', and rac et 18, is pulling lever 16, into its normal position, which is determined by a stop 21, forming part of bracket 18.. Another spring 22, servesy the purpose of keeping levers 16 and 17, in en- 9o gagement as shown in Fig. 1. The function- ,ing of this release attachment is as follows:

When operating rod 23, is moved up it engages with nose 16', and moves `lever 16, into position indicated in dotted lines (Fig. 1). ,95 During this process locking lever 17, is

pulled along till it engages with the moves forward into the position occupied by the previous fruit or vegetable.

3. Thefeedzng mechanism.

The feeding mechanism consists of two distinctive parts, (a) the conveying part and (b) the feeder part.

(a) The conveying part.

This part is composed of the lower, long conveying bands or chains.24 and 24', (Figs. 1, 2 and 11) vand the upper short conveying bands or chains 25 and 25', shown in dash dotted lines in Fig. 1. These conveyor bands are attached at the extreme ends to the lower and upper arms 26--26 and 27-.27, which in turn are pivoted to shafts 28 and 29,

' mounted on bearing 30, which again is fastened upon the end plate 31.A Pivoted arms 26-27, and'26-27 are geared together at 32-32 and 33-33 for centralizingpurposes. Stops 34-34 and 35-35 are rovided to limit the ulling action of s rings 36 and 37, fastened] to the respective evers. The lower conveying bandsy 24 and 24' are driven directly from shaft 28, by sprockets 38 and 38', fastened thereon (see Fig. 11).

Shaft 28 is driven from" main shaft 5, by bevel gear pairs 7, and 39, while a pair of spur gears 40, transmit power to shaft 29. The sprockets on the extreme ends of arms 26 and 26' are pivoted on stationary shafts 41 and 42, which are slightly inclined to facilitate a better grip upon the fruit or vegetable to be peeled (see Figs. l and 4).

The hubs of the opposite sprockets are provided with suitable pins 108 and 109, to insure a still better grip upon the fruit or vegetable to be peeled.

The upper conveying bands or chains are' made short to allow the feeding-in of the fruits or vegetables discharged from pocket 14. These bands aremounted on the extreme end of arms 27 and 27 upon movable levers 43 and 43', which in turn are pressed downward bysprings 44 and 44's (Figs. 1 and 2) till stop pins 45 and 45', prevent any further movement. This arrangement as clearly shown in Fig. 1 is provided for aligning purposes and also to insure a positive grip upon the fruit or vegetable at the extreme discharging, end of the conveyorbelts. These short conveyor belts or chains are driven from shaft`29, by means o'f Suitkis as follows:

able sprockets 94 and 94', and belts or chains 95 and 95'.

4. The feeder part.

- veying belts, by a belt or chain drive 49,

carries at equal'intervals three feed devices 50 (see Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8), pivoted upon pins 51, rivetediinto the chain 46, Each feed device consists of two parts, one the feed lever 58, of channel shape, one leg of which is formed into guide levers 58.' and 58" g the other'th'e pinV lever 52, positioned yinside the feed lever 50.` This pin lever is provided with an operating finger 52', and two prick pins 53, passing through a suitable perfora- A tion 54, provided in feed lever 5,8. A special platforml 55, mounted upon a bracket 48, and a special guide rail 56, mounted upon the base plate 1, complete the feeder equipment. (See Fig. 1.)

The operation of the feeding mechanism p Assuming the position as shown in Fig. 1 which is just a moment before'the fruit or vegetable is released. The pin lever 52, of feed device 50, is about to engage the lower end ofthe operating rod 23, which after engagement is gradually lifted up and thus releasing the fruit or vegetable, as described previously. At the moment of releasing the fruit or vegetable, feed lever 58, is in the position 'indicated in dotted lines (Fig. 1). This position is so arranged that the falling fruit or vegetable is placed directly in front of and carried 'along by the feed lever 58.

In moving forward the guide fingers 58' and 58" of feed lever 58, slide upon platform 55, thus locking feed lever 58, in its vertical position, as Ashown in Figs. 6 and 7. After moving still further till the fruit or vegetable is securely grip ed by the upper conveyor belts, a strop 5 (Flgs. 1 and 7) in platform 55, engages with operating finger 52', ofl pin lever 52, and same is forced against feed lever 58, whereby pins 53, are pushed into the yfruit or vegetable (see Figs. 6 and 7), thus adding another ositive grip upon the fruit or vegetable. ig. 5, indicates the moment the fruit or vegetable is completely discharged. The feed device consisting of feed lever 58, and pin lever 52, are pushed out of engagement by a stop pin 59, mounted on bracket 48, as soon as guide linger 58 leaves platform 55. In moving downward guide finger 58', will strike pin 60, located at the lower end of Fig. 1, where it will slide along bracket 48, thereby turning the feed device 50, into a horizontal position, as shown in guide rail 56. Guide rail 56, is so arrange as to force the feed 'device 50, into its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, thus completing the cycle of operations.

- The peeling mechanism.

spur gear 66, is stationarily mounted upon v t e outer race ring 64, and engages a pinion 66', running upon a stationary shaft 67, and permanently connected to a bevel gear 68. Bevel gear 68, engages bevel gear 69, which in turn is fastened on a rotating shaft 70. Bevel gear 69, and shaft 70, are forming art of a movable, swinging arm 71, ivote on shaft 67. A clock spring 72w oseinner end is permanently attached to shaft 67, and whose outer end is ressing avainst an abutment 73, of arm 1 serves the purpose of forcing swinging arm 71 and elmg tool 80 into intimate contact with t e surface of the fruit or vegetable, to be peeled. Removable cover 74, enclosing pinlon, bevel gears, pivot and spring parts, is so arranged as to perfectl protect all these parts from dust, dirt and7 water. For this purpose the portions 75, of swin ing arm 71 are designed -to perfectly close s ot 76, of cover 74, throughV which swinging arm '71,' protrudes, in no matter what position 'arm 71, maybe. To regulate the tension of clock spring 7 2,

. shaft 67, is provided with a slot 77, for a screw driver, and a plurality of adjustin holes 78, for pin 79, by which any desir adjustment may be accomplished. A specially designed peeling tool 80, made of nonmetallic material as porcelain, glass, marble or composition, is removably mounted upon the-lower end of shaft a slot 81, in peeling to'ol 80, and a removable pin 82, passing through shaft 70, are ractical'means to facilitate attaching or etaching the peeling tool to or from the shaft' 70.

Provision for two of such peeling tools is made as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the planes of which are sli htly displaced (Fig. 1) to ermit a more ecient and speedier peeling. t is self-evident that any number of tools Imay be employed and arranged to increas the efficiency of the apparatus. f

The o eration of -the peeling mechanism is as fol ows: v I

Rotating drum 62 is set in motion by spur gears 1o and 65. (see rigs. 1, 4, 9 and 1o.)

Pinion 66, mounted upon and forming alA part of drum 62, is taken along and force rotate, and also transmit this rotation through bevel gears 68 and 69, to peeling tool 80. This peeling tool, which is mounted 70 upon shaft 7 0, is running in a4 bearing formed by pivoted swinging arm 71. Peeling tool 80, and arm 71, are so arranged as to permit the gliding of tool 80, over any irregular surface (see Fig. 4). Tool 80,' by 75 means of its coarse or toothed surface, its rapid rotation and the pressure applied by clock spring 72, will perfectly peel or clean any surface of fruits or vegetables, which are moved forward and pushed into the peeling mechanism by the feeding mechanism described previously.

T heA ldachiznqz'n-.g mechanism.

veyin belts or chains 8f3-83 and 84-84 (see i 1, 2, 3 and 4). These belts are operated y chains or belts -85 and 86 and 86', located on the outside of arms 87-87 and lOl-101', fastened on shafts 89, and 90. These shafts are running in bearing 91, which is mounted upon .end

plate 92. Shaft V89, is driven by main shaft l5, through bevel gear pinions 8, 95, and 96, 95

and -105, of the geared portions 106, 1,00

106', 107, 107', prevent any further motion. The discharging mechanism operates as follows: l 4

The fruit or vegetable, while still 1n the This mechanism comprises four short con- 85 and 88-88, ,and driven by sprockets 100- 90 process of peeling is steadily pushed for- ,105

ward till the extreme ends of the belts or chains 83--83 and 84--84 have a firm grip upon the fruit or ve 108 and 109, located on the hubs of the op- (retable, whereby the pins` l posite sprockets (see Fig. 4) materially as- .110

off when the other end of the belt is reache An opening 110, in base plate 1, is provided to facilitate the collecting or carrying off of the cleaned fruit or vegetable.

The umshz'ng mechanism.

The Washing mechanism consists of a stationarily arranged water supply pipe 111, wli'ich continually or intermittently dis charges a spray of water upon the fruit or vegetable in the process of peeling thus thoroughly cleaning the peeled fruit or vegetable. Waste and surplus water is carried off through an opening 112, provided for that purpose in base plate 1. The water supply is controlled by lmeans ofa suitable 13o valve 113, which in turn is operated by a l y lever 114, gliding over covers 74, thereby automatically openin A is removed and the valve A ters Patent is:

Ving `rotating non-metallic tools; a suitable and closing valvell. Lever 114, after g iding over covers 74, is returned toits normal position by means of either gravity or by a suitable spring (not shown in the drawings). AIn case a continued stream of water is desired, lever- 114 113, set in the open position.

I do notl wish to limit myself to the exact construction of the apparatus shown, it being apparent that there may be considerable variation in using the principles .disclosed without departing .from the spiritA of my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let- 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suitable automatically and periodically operated fruit'or vegetable releasing mechanism, a suitable automatically operatedv` conveyor type feeding mechanism, a suitable automatically 0perated rotating peeling 'and' cleaning mechanism, a suitable automatically operated washing mechanism, a suitable automatically operated f conveyor type discharge mechanism, and suitably arranged driving means for operating said mechanism.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suitableautomatically operated fruit or vegetable lock-A ing and releasing mechanism, said releasing mechanism so arranged as to automatically release fruit or vegetables at a predetermined period of operation, and `also lock or prevent the next. following fruit or vegetable from being released; a suitable automatically operated conveyor type feeding mechanism, said feeding mechanism so arranged as to automatically adjust itself to the size and shape of the fruit or vegetable while automatically delivering said' fruitor vegetable into a suitable peeling' mechanism, said peeling mechanism so arranged as to remove the surface skin of said fruit or vege- Y table by means ofy a plurality of self-adjustwashing mechanism, said washing mechanism automatically and intermittently spraying a stream of cleaning liquid upon said fruit or vegetable; a suitable automatically operated conve or type fruit or vegetable discharge ymec anism, said discharge mechanism so arranged as to automatically adjustitself to the size and shape of said fruit or vegetables, while automatically discharging said fruit or vegetables and a suitable driving mechanism, said driving mechanism so arranged vas to operate and transmit power to all of the various mechanism.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, an automaticall and periodically operated fruit or vegeta le locking and reyond the fulcrum o f said release arm, and

a pivoted locking arm forming an integral.

part of said releasing mechanism and operated simultaneously with same.

.4. In a fruit or vegetable locking and releasing mechanism, the combination of a release arm pivoted on a stationary shaft, an extension provided on said release arm for the purpbse ofoperating same, a spring or other suitable means holding said operating arm in its normal position, a locking arm pivoted on said shaft and normally held in position by a spring or other suitable means, connecting said' locking arm, and said release arm, said spring causing said locking arm to function when-release arm is operated.

5. In a fruit or vegetable eeling apparatus, the combination of a ruit of vegetable llocking and releasing mechanism of the character described, said locking and releasing mechanism periodically'operated by a suitable automatic feeding4 mechanism, said feeding mechanism so arranged as to periodically and automatically engage said releasing mechanism by means of a suitable operating mechanism, to discharge said -ineans to centrally adjust said movable arms and conveyor.

7 In a fruit or vegetable mechanism, the combination pf two pairs of pivoted lower and-upper arms, each pair of upper and lower arms mechanically interconnect/ed and centrally4 operated,. by means of suitable means, suitable interlocking pulling means to normally hold said lower and upper arms in close engagement, suitable conveyor b elts .or chainsmovably fastened to said lower arms, said conveyor belts or chains so arranged as to receive-the discharged fruit or vegetables, a pair of short conveyor baits or chains independently mounted upon suitable levers, said levers pivoted upon the extreme end of' said upper arms, suitable means interposed between said levers and said;

upper arms to facilitate proper alignment to said fruit or vegetables and suitable operating means for said short ,conveyor belts or chains. 8. In a fruit or vegetable peeling and washing apparatus, the combination of a suitable locking and releasing mechanism, of

the character described, a suitable fruit or vegetable conveying mechanism of the character described, and a suitable mism, said vf ing and washing tirely nectedl b arrears feeding mechintegral part of said releasing and .'conveying mechanism, mechanically interlinked and periodicall operating said releasing and conveying mec anism.

9. In' a feeding mechanism, the combina# tion of a plurality of feeding levers, said feeding levers mounted endless chain' or belt, a suitably d platform engaging and actuating said feeding levers, and a suitablerrelease lever operating attachment, periodically actuated by said feeding levers.

10. In a fruit or vegetable peeling and washing apparatus, the combination of a suitable locking and releasing mechanism, a suitable conveying mechanism, a suitable feeding mechanism, all of the character described, and a suitable fruit or vegetable peeling and washing mechanism, said peelmechanism forming an enthe equlpment, comp a stationary bracket, a rotating drum, a plurality of -rotating gear transmissions carried Vby said drum, a plurality Yof rotating non-metallic 'l peeling tools, actuated by said rotating gear transmission, and a suitable spraying equipment for washing said fruit or vegetable.

11. In a fruit or vegetable peeling 1pechaY racket, a rotating drum, said rotating consuitable ball to said statioary racket, gear or other suitable operating means for actua said rotating drum, a stationary gear suita ly mounted on vsaid stationary bracket, a plurality of suitable transmission .gears mounted upon said rotating drumsa1dtransm1$1on gears opremovable and intersaid erating a plurality of changeable non-metallic peeling tools, pee toolsmovabl fastened to suitable self-a 'usting pivote guide arms.

12. a fruit or vegetable mechanisin, the combination of a e nonmechanism forming an and carried upon an independent and self-contained unit ofy metallic rotating peeling tool, a suitable pivoted swinging arm to carry and supporti said tool, a suitable gear mec anism to operate said peeling tool and a suitable adjustable spring or other tension arrangement for said pivoted swinging arm and alloper-- ating andtension parts suitably dustproof enclosed.

13. In a fruit orl vegetable peeling-andl wasbmg mechanism, the combination of peeling mechanism of. the character described, and a washing attachment comprisand an automatically controlled valve mechanism for automatically and intermittently spraying and washing fruit or vegetables;

mg a rigidly supported pipe arrangement 14. In a fruit or vegetable peeling and l w apparatus, the, combination of a suitable l g and releasing mechanism, a suitable conveying and feeding mechanism,

a suitable peeling and washing mechanism,

all of the character described, and a stuitable fruit or vegetable discharge mechanism, said arge mechanism forming an independent unit of the equipment comprising two pair of pivoted self-adjusting upper and ower arms, suitable conveyor belts or chains movably mounted upon said upper and lower arms, and suitable operating means for said fruit or ve etable discharge mechanism.

15. In a uit or vegetable discharge mechanism, the combination of two pair of pivoted upper and lower arms, yeach pairof upper and lower arms mechanically interconnected and centrally operated by suitable interlocking means, suitable pulling means to normally hold said upper and lower arms in close enga ment, suitable conveyor chainsmovably astened to -said upper and lower arms, and' suitable operat-A means for said conveyor chains.

igned at New York city in the county BENJAMiN MEISLER. 

